All About The Prepuce

Prepuce is the medical term used to describe the protective layer of skin both men and women have on their genitals to keep them protected and safe from infection. Mostly the men’s prepuce is distinguished from the women’s by calling it a foreskin while women’s prepuce is often referred to as the clitoral hood. Many animals even have prepuce to protect and cover their genitals. A process is often carried out on young boys called circumcision in which the prepuce is removed. It is done so for hygiene purposes. However in some religions it’s required to remove the prepuce for all men and so its commonly done while all baby boys are still young. This practice of removing the prepuce is a very old tradition that has been going around for quite some time now.

When the process called circumcision is carried out only the prepuce that covers the head of the penis is removed. Many people are against circumcision saying that the prepuce is there for an important purpose. Medically it has been said that the prepuce has multiple important functions to perform. The prepuce contains many sensitive nerves in both cases of the prepuce for both men and women. This sensitive prepuce helps in enhancing the simulation during sexual activity. The prepuce is also the means of lubricating the genitals during sex or masturbation for pleasure. The prepuce helps keep the genitals highly sensitive.

The prepuce also has great significance when it comes to the hygiene of men. The prepuce helps to keep the glans protected from any irritation that can happen from physical activity or clothing. There is a small opening at the end of the prepuce which enables men to easily urinate by retracting the prepuce painlessly and for cleaning purposes as well while bathing. The prepuce has both and internal component and an external component. The external part of the prepuce appears to be more like a mere extension of the skin that surrounds the penis in the case of men or the labia in case of women. This external prepuce is prone to rashes and infections for which one needs to take tropical medication. The interior of the prepuce in case of both men and women can develop preputial adhesions that may result in the need of surgical intervention. If the male prepuce is unable to fully retract it can become quite painful during sexual intercourse.